Apparatus for distilling wood



April 1940- D. J. SALTSMAN 2,196,343

APPARATUS FOR DISTILLING WOOD Q Filed De c. 6, 1937 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 I INVENTOR. BYM I ATTORNEYS.

April 1940- 'D. J. SALTSMAN 2,196,343

' APPARATUS FOR DISTILLING WOOD I Filed Dec. 6, 1937. 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 y"- 2 mum/u M M! W l 2? ATTORNEYS.

Patented Apr. 9, 1940 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE,

APPARATUS FOR DISTILLING Wool) Daniel -J. Saltsman, Mobile, Ala., assignor of one-third to W. B. Crane and one-third to G. W. Laubenthal, both of Mobile, Ala.

ApplicationDecember c, 1937, Serial No. 178,385

1 Claim.

therefrom, such as turpentine, light and heavy creosote oils, tar and tar oils, charcoal, and the various acids contained in these products.

An important object of the invention is to provide a device of this character wherein the process of distillation may be carried out by one continuous operation of the apparatus by indirect heat, to the end that a product of the highest quality will be recovered, eliminating any possi bility of burning the wood, during the process of distillation.

With the foregoing and other objects in view, which will appear as the description proceeds, the invention resides in the combination and arrangement of parts and in the details of construction hereinafter described and claimed, it being understood that changes in the precise embodiment of the invention herein described, may be made within the scope of what is claimed, without departing from the spirit of the invention.

Referring to the drawings:

Figure 1 is a longitudinal sectional view through an apparatus constructed in accordance with the invention,

Figure 2 is a plan view thereof.

Figure 3 is a transverse sectional view taken on line 3-3 of Figure 1.

Referring to the drawings in detail, the base of the apparatus is indicated generally by the reference character 5 and as shown, is constructed to provide an annular passageway 6 which communicates with the fire chamber 1, through the passageway 8. The reference character 9 designates an oil burner which directs heat into the fire chamber 1, from where it passes into the annular passageway 6. While in the present showing I have used an oil burner for supplying heat to the fire chamber 1, it is to be understood that the type of burner used in supplying heat tothe apparatus, may be changed without departing from the spirit of the invention. The body portion of the apparatus is indicated generally by the reference character 9, and includes an outer casing l and an inner casing II, the casings being spaced apart providing a compartment for insulating material l2. As shown, the inner casing ll provides a continuation of. the outer wall of the annular passageway 6, so that heat entering the passageway 6 may pass upwardly within the body portion.

Forming a continuation of the inner wall of the annular passageway 6, is a casing l3 which is of a length to extend to the top of the body portion, as shown by Figure 1 of the drawings.

Housed within the casing I3, is the retort indicated by the reference character I4, the retort being supported in spaced relation with the bottom of the casing 13, providing a compartment through which the products of distillation may pass. Openings l are provided in the bottom of the retort l4, and establish communication between the compartment or space under the retort, and the interior of the retort. Heat passageways 16 extend through the space between the bottom of the casing l3 and retort l4, and establish communicationbetween opposite sides of the passageway formed between the inner casing ii and casing Hi, to the end that heat passing into the passageway, may move transversely through the space directly under the retort, supplying heat thereto.

As clearly shown by Figure 1 of the drawings, theretort is disposed in spaced relation with the casing l3, to the end that heat will pass tothe retort, through radiation.

The upper end of the casing l3 receives the ring I! that in turn is connected with .the top I8 of the body portion 9.

An'opening I9 is formed in the top or cover l8, which opening is closed by the cap 20 which gradually contracts towards the outer end thereof, the cap 20 being connectedwith the condenser 2|, so that vapors rising from the wood or stump under treatment, may be carried to the condenser to recover certain elements.

The reference character 22 designates a pipe which communicates with the space between the bottom of the casing 13 and retort, the pipe being inclined and supplied with a valve 23, so that liquids recovered during distillation, may be directed to the vat 24.

Dampers indicated by the reference character I 25 are supported within the valve casings 26 that communicate with the space between the inner casing H and casing 13, the dampers being so arranged that-an even distribution of heat at the top of the retort is insured at all times. I

In the operation of the device, should it be desired to recover rosin and tar, the valve 23-is closed, retaining the tar in the bottom of the retort until the tar is cooked to the required consistency. The tar is then drawn off through the regular way and deposited in a container ready for the market.

It will be further seen that with the use of the apparatus as shown, the heat used in carrying out the process of distillation is directed in such a way that one product cannot absorb any part of another product, and the process may be carried out without burning the wood. Inasmuch as the heat is trapped at the top of the retort, the heat will accumulate and pass downwardly through the wood, causing the wood to undergo a sweat, producing a vapor which passes out through the cap 20 into the condenser 2 I.

Due to the fact that heat is applied to the retort, through radiation, it will be seen that it will be impossible to burn the wood during the process of distillation, with the result that an exceptionally pure and high grade of material and a one-third more yield result.

I claim:

In an apparatus for distilling wood, a base having a recess formed in the upper surface thereof providing an annular passageway, transverse heating passageways formed in the body portion within the confines of the annular passageway, the ends of the heat passageways communicating with the annular passageway, a fire chamber communicating with the annular passageway and transverse heat passageways, whereby heat may circulate therethrough, an outer insulated wall section, an inner casing mounted on the base adjacent to the inner edge of the annular passageway and in spaced relation with the outer wall section providing a vertical passageway adapted to be heated by heat passing through the annular passageway and transverse heat passageways, a retort within the inner casing and spaced from the inner surface thereof, a pipe through which liquid is carried off from the retort, and means for condensing vapors rising from the retort.

DANIEL J. SALTSMAN. 20 

